The Wandering Jew — Volume 06 eBook

“Sir, it is to the lady that I have the honor
of addressing myself,” replied M. de Gernande,
sternly; “and I am the sole judge of the propriety
of my questions.”

Adrienne was about to answer affirmatively to the
magistrate, when an expressive took from Dr. Baleinier
reminded her that she would perhaps expose Dagobert
and his son to cruel dangers. It was no base and
vulgar feeling of vengeance by which Adrienne was
animated, but a legitimate indignation, inspired by
odious hypocrisy. She would have thought it cowardly
not to unmask the criminals; but wishing to avoid compromising
others, she said to the magistrate, with an accent
full of mildness and dignity: “Permit me,
sir, in my turn, rather to ask you a question.”

“Speak, madame.”

“Will the answer I make be considered a formal
accusation?”

“I have come hither, madame, to ascertain the
truth, and no consideration should induce you to dissemble
it.”

“So be it, sir,” resumed Adrienne; “but
suppose, having just causes of complaint, I lay them
before you, in order to be allowed to leave this house,
shall I afterwards be at liberty not to press the accusations
I have made?”

“You may abandon proceedings, madame, but the
law will take up your case in the name of society,
if its rights have been inured in your person.”

“Shall I then not be allowed to pardon?
Should I not be sufficiently avenged by a contemptuous
forgetfulness of the wrongs I have suffered?”

“Personally, madame, you may forgive and forget;
but I have the honor to repeat to you, that society
cannot show the same indulgence, if it should turn
out that you have been the victim of a criminal machination—­and
I have every reason to fear it is so. The manner
in which you express yourself, the generosity of your
sentiments, the calmness and dignity of your attitude,
convince me that I have been well informed.”

“I hope, sir,” said Dr. Baleinier, recovering
his coolness, “that you will at least communicate
the declaration that has been made to you.”

“It has been declared to me, sir,” said
the magistrate, in a stern voice, “that Mdlle.
de Cardoville was brought here by stratagem.”

“By stratagem?”

“Yes, sir.”

“It is true. The lady was brought here
by stratagem,” answered the Jesuit of the short
robe, after a moment’s silence.

“You confess it, then?” said M. de Gernande.

“Certainly I do, sir. I admit that I had
recourse to means which we are unfortunately too often
obliged to employ, when persons who most need our
assistance are unconscious of their own sad state.”

“But, sir,” replied the magistrate, “it
has also been declared to me, that Mdlle. de Cardoville
never required such aid.”

“That, sir, is a question of medical jurisprudence,
which has to be examined and discussed,” said
M. Baleinier, recovering his assurance.

“It will, indeed, sir, be seriously discussed;
for you are accused of confining Mdlle. De Cardoville,
while in the full possession of all her faculties.”